Jarnell Stokes' arrival in Knoxville was met with fanfare on Thursday afternoon.
Needless to say, the reaction to Stokes' decision to play for Tennessee was much different in East Tennessee than in his hometown of Memphis.
"We went to an IHOP the day after (Dec. 22) I announced I was coming here, and we about got booed out of there,'' Stokes said. "It's nothing I didn't expect. I knew I'd get boos, people unfriending me on Twitter and a couple of threats.''
Stokes chose the Vols and coach Cuonzo Martin over Memphis, as well as Kentucky, Connecticut, Florida and Arkansas.
During a trip to the West Town Mall on Thursday, Stokes was greeted by numerous UT fans, many of whom asked for his autograph and had their pictures taken with the 6-foot-8 Stokes.
"I guess this is what it feels like to be kind of a celebrity,'' Stokes joked. "I haven't even played a game yet.''
Stokes, the first No. 1 prospect from the state of Tennessee to sign with the Vols in more than 13 years, is awaiting his transcripts being approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse before he can practice.
Stokes won't be able to play in games until after Jan. 11, when classes start at UT, though he said Martin would determine when he would play — if at all — this season.
"Coach Martin hasn't promised me any playing time, or even if I'll be able to play this season,'' said Stokes, who was ranked No. 11 in the nation in the Class of 2012 by Rivals.com. "I'm just looking forward to practice. I haven't been able to get up and down the court with a team since August. I've been working out, but that's a different kind of conditioning.''
Stokes, accompanied by his trainer, Tony Sarwar, started his day on the News Sentinel's Sports Page radio show on WNML-FM, 99.1, AM 990. The phone lines lit up as a half dozen callers dialed in to welcome the 17-year-old to Knoxville and shared their hopes for future success.
From there, Stokes was off for a full slab of ribs at a barbecue restaurant where he had a chance meeting with former UT player Ryan Childress.
Childress stopped by Stokes' table to wish him well before letting the Memphis Southwind High School mid-term graduate get back to his plate of food.
Stokes' next stop was the mall, where he sampled a dozen Tennessee hats before choosing his favorite.
Stokes wrapped up his day at the News Sentinel with a photo shoot and video interview, where he shared the rather obscure fact that he was once a state champion in chess and had taken honors classes from the time he was a freshman in high school.
"I'm no savior, I'm a basketball player,'' Stokes said. "But I've always been a winner, and I plan on being a piece of what Coach Martin is putting together here. The fans here, man, they're great. Today was awesome.''
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Comments » 39
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
Welcome to Knoxville. Give it your all and you will do great things!!! GBO!!!
sly_stone99#434111 writes:
This kid has a great attitude. Sad that some Memphis fans did that to him at the IHOP. I believe he's got thick skin and stuff like that will roll off his shoulder.
eduardo writes:
Remember Jarnell everyday you wake up think BEAT KENTUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
abnerPeabody writes:
If the situation were reversed,our fans would have done the same thing with the boos.What a shame that a young man can not chose the University he wants without some idiots showing their ignorance.
wigmeister writes:
Welcome! Enjoy your stay, Hope you have great success in orange country.
allntl1#565211 writes:
VOLvo no doubt.
bahamapapavol writes:
Welcome to Big Orange Country Jarnell.......
We vol fans down here in the Bahamas are excited to see you wear the orange......
We will be rooting you and the team on every time you step out on the floor. All the best for you in 2012!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Don't worry Jarnell. You'll get to play I think. Work work work
tennrich1 writes:
Man I hope so....By the way, his family can afford it!!!!!!!!
Go_Big_O writes:
That's funny right there!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Got a feeling his minutes will be very few. Just a hunch, but the way woolridge has been playing of late, stokes has some work ahead of him. remember, he is just out of hs.
givehim6 writes:
While he was at the mall hope no one bought him anything, we want no secondary volitions.
LJS1984 writes:
THIS kid is special! GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!From Deep in East Knoxville, Magnolia get behind this cat\\!!
LJS1984 writes:
CLASSY VOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
decades_vol writes:
He would probably have a Ferrari or Lotus in Gainesville. Ribs in Knoxville, BodeaneGator, not anything near what he might be offered in Crock Country (unless it was something "under the table" while he ate his ribs). Go back to your Gator website, unless you have been banned from there. Not true, is it? Go away and pull for your 6-6 Gators in football, and hope they don't fall to 6-7 against Ohio State (with some familiar coach in tow for next season).
LJS1984 writes:
Bodeanejustjealousheain'trelatedtowinonaJUDD???
LJS1984 writes:
WELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LJS1984 writes:
All of your friends are here at the TOP UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE!!!!!!!! It's time Stokes! VOL FOR LIFE!!!!!!!
LJS1984 writes:
TENNESSEEE VOL FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AllforTenn writes:
Volitions are needed. Maybe you mean violations?
thevoice writes:
This fellow hasn't played a lick of UT basketball. But he's my favorite "player" so far. What a great attitude he has. Stoked for Stokes.
Madkels writes:
A young man who doesn't let a little booing get to him and says " I'm no savior". Sounds like he is well grounded and smart. Refreshing to here this attitude from a top tiered athelete. Welcome to Knoxville!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
LOL I'll probably agree with you after he helps us win a few. Right now after last night's win I'd have to go with Woolridge and Makanjuola.
I noticed that Makanjuola was spelled MakAn on his jersey but on the roster it's MakEn??? C'mon! He's gonna be good so somebody decide how to spell Nigerian!! Plus I corrected john###something on here about that telling him it was an E and now it seems john was correct and I hate being wrong! It's the roster's fault.
They have it as Makanjuola on the roster now and I'm wandering if I was wrong this whole time!!!
Sorry about all that.
VOODOOley-2011 (Inactive) writes:
I predict UT will name an arena in his name after he leaves.. Stokely Athletics Center.
CroKev writes:
It's got a ring to it!
BigOrangeSmoker writes:
I feel real sorry for this kid,all that talent he's got and wasting it on a coach like martin...pitful plumb pitful
jmaples54 writes:
please become a big blue smoker. you are not wanted as a tennessee fan.
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Love this kid and can't wait to see him on the court!! Welcome to Vol Nation, Jarnell! (And ignore the idiots in Memphis and those like BigOrangeSmoker here who thrive on being negative and miserable.) GBO!!
w4tey#282182 writes:
Advice to JS. Be very careful of well meaning and not so well meaning "fans". They can pull you down in a "Knoxville" minute !
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
It will be interesting to see how the clearinghouse handles Stokes..The Ncaa clearinghouse is a strange bunch..It could take a week or in some cases months!!It will probably take Stokes at least 2 weeks of practice to learn what he needs to learn and he's coming in decent shape..In the end pure talent and motivation will get him on the court..Best case scenario he plays by 3rd week of Jan. Just my opinion
UKblue02 writes:
I hope thinking is all he does, and don't actually do it......LOL
OwensboroVol writes:
Youngman you are at the greatest Institution that I know of. I spend the greatest 5 years of my life on the Hill (1961-1966) and I hope your stay there is as great as mine was. I feel a big empty spot in my heart when I talk about it, but I met the woman I thought I would spend the rest of my life with there. After 50 years She was taken before me, but it won't be long now until I will be back together with her. I look forward to it.
murrayvol writes:
Beats the hell out of your Pinto.
murrayvol writes:
Nice!
murrayvol writes:
"pitful"?? Guess those ESL classes aren't helping.
crappieking writes:
Here, take a look at this. Smoke it. Good Luck Jarnell!
gbrown2 writes:
Excellent Choice....Welcome to Vol Country....You made a great choice in Universities... UTK is an awesome school...
FearMyMohawk writes:
Oh my god.. I think this guy is special, but if he fails, UT fans will probably be burning furniture in knoxville. Good luck Stokes, turn this team around!!!
SouthPaVol writes:
JS, you are such a welcome addition to the Vol Nation; look forward to watching you play the next couple of years.
Not sure if you were committed to CBP before his departure? I do hope you look forward to playing for CCM. His system seems to get the most from the BIGs inside. Case in point, Yay's breakout game last night was the 4th different BIG to really shine in our first 12 games.
I think you compliment our team immediately; later on, you dominate. Go Vols!
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